The Xizang Autonomous Region of China has officially handed over 1,500 tonnes of drinking water to the Maldives. This donation was pledged by the Chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Region during his official visit to the Maldives in November 2023, with the shipment arriving on March 26, 2024.
The donation ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the water was received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer and handed over by Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Maldives Wang Lixin.
At the official handover ceremony, Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer emphasised the government's commitment to providing safe drinking water to its citizens. He highlighted that the donated water will be distributed to islands facing difficulties in accessing clean drinking water. The minister said there are very few places in the Maldives where drinking water can be stored safely adding the Maldives has to rely heavily on converting saltwater into freshwater.
China's Ambassador to Maldives, Wang Lixin, revealed that the donation, valued at 10 million yuan (approximately USD 1.4 million), consists of 1,500 tonnes of bottled water sourced from the mountain sea waters of the Xizang Autonomous Region. Ambassador Wang noted the Maldives has always maintained very close relations with China noting President Muizzu's visit to China, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, was very successful which also opened a new chapter in the bilateral relations between China and the Maldives.
Ambssador Wang also mentioned the extensive support provided by the Chinese government to the Maldives, including the maintenance of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge and the reconstruction of all city roads, which are being carried out under China's free assistance programmes.